Registration to vote in Arizona closes Oct. 9

Oct. 9 is last day to register in Ariz.

Arizonans have just over a week left to register to vote for the general election, which will feature decisions on the U.S. presidency, state lawmakers, a sales tax for education and an overhaul of the state's primary system.

Registration closes Oct. 9, and early voting begins two days later for the Nov. 6 election.

Arizonans can register or change their registration at their county elections office or online at servicearizona.com. Voters can register on the website up until midnight on the last day.

Elections officials expect high voter participation on Election Day, based on numbers from the Aug. 28 primary and past general elections featuring a presidential race.

The Secretary of State's Office reported that 28 percent of Arizona voters cast ballots in the primary. Secretary of State Ken Bennett, who oversees state elections, said the figure was down 2 percentage points from the 2010 primary but up 5 percentage points from 2008.

"In 2008, I think we were at 77 percent (voter turnout), and that's with one of our own Arizona boys at the top of the ticket," Bennett said, referring to Republican Sen. John McCain's unsuccessful presidential bid. "I think if we do 75 percent and stay close to where we were in 2008, then that would be a good goal. If we can exceed that, even better."

Maricopa County Elections Director Karen Osborne predicted about 65 percent of eligible voters in the Phoenix metro area would vote in the general, and the overwhelming majority of those will vote by mail. She said 83 percent of those who cast a ballot in the primary voted by mail.